(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)
I am always excited for the Philly Pen Show because it kicks off the pen show season (which seems to get longer as more shows get added). As with many other shows, I was working at the Franklin-Christoph and Piper Trading Co. tables, which usually makes it easier for me not to spend all my money. For the past couple of months, I had been trying to be more intentional with my purchases and I have been mostly successful but would that continue into this first pen show of the year? Let’s find out!
Welcome to Philadelphia!
The weather was beautiful on Wednesday - low 50s. Also sunny and blue skies on Thursday, but a high of 35 as I walked all around town.
A little different story on Saturday and Sunday when the snow came.
I love seeing the snow accumulating on the glass. It was beautiful but I’m glad I was indoors!
This is going to be my 5th Philly Pen Show recap and sometimes it feels like I’m repeating myself every year, but there’s something calming about a show that is consistent and predictable (in a good way). Same show owners/organizers (Scott Franklin of Franklin-Christoph and Eric Orozco are co-owners of the show), same hotel as the past several years, same unpredictable mid-January weather. That doesn’t mean that it is a boring show or that things don’t change or improve - it’s just that the vibe feels similar from year to year. Excitement for the new year, start of the pen show circuit, while still feeling relaxed because it’s not a gigantic, chaotic, crowded show (cough cough, DC, SF, cough cough). It’s a great show for first timers because of that, as well as a good mix of vintage and modern vendors, a growing number of pen-adjacent vendors, and a variety of classes. All that means there’s something for just about everyone.
Usually, the show is held on the Mezzanine level, but due to construction, we were up on the main Ballroom level (same as in 2023). The show occupied two side-by-side ballrooms which allowed for a lot of aisle space as well as room behind tables for vendors. The tall ceilings made it feel even roomier.
The entrance of the first ballroom before the show rush began.
Franklin-Christoph always makes an ink to kick off the year as well as matching exclusive pens. Scott decided to do something different and release TWO colors - green and purple - which meant the pen materials would also have those two colors!
Two Ink ‘26 colors and 4 models for this year’s Philly Pen Show Pen (02, 31, engraved & painted Modified 03, and Pocket 45).
There was also a table for Piper Trading Company, (a Franklin-Christoph company) because these gorgeous Kyoku Haku pen cases arrived just in time for the show!
Looking towards the front of the first ballroom from the back. (Loved having all that room behind the table - most shows have half that, or less.)
Tom Forsythe of Sugar Turtle Studio and I had a great discussion about using our stickers. Being a sticker fiend, I am definitely making a more concerted effort to use them this year (so I can buy more, that’s how it works, right?).
Chris Henline and Cary Yeager of Truphae not only brings their amazing collection of pens, but also the lights and the tunes. I was jamming to 70s and 80s classics all weekend!
*Look at this Sailor King Eagle stacked nib! Having stuff like this is what Truphae is really known for! Also check out the Nagasawa pens in the background! *
The folks at Blick Art Materials brought several tables worth of inks, paper, pens, and art supplies.
Marty and Kimberly Hendson, had a ton of Retro 51 pens, as well as products from Tactile Turn and Rickshaw Bagworks. Marty is a serious Retro 51 collector and can help you find your perfect Retro!
The show had decent attendance on Friday, and it was busier on Saturday, which is pretty common for most shows. Even though there was snow, a fair number of people came on Saturday and Sunday, though some vendors left early on Sunday morning to avoid the heavy snow storm that was forecast for later that day. In the past, the attendance tapered significantly on Sunday, so I’m glad that they ended the show at 2pm (this wasn’t done for the storm, but was planned well in advance). I think most of the shows out there should consider doing the same.
Many of the vendors from past years were here again this year, but there were a couple of notable absences. Luxury Brands of America had to cancel at the last minute, and Pilot USA is cutting down the number of shows it attends, so Philly didn’t make the cut. Even though I missed both of those vendors, their absence allowed folks on the vendor wait list to fill the gaps - many of whom were new to the Philly show. That said, after-hours just isn’t the same without the LBA and Pilot folks, especially when it was game time!
The second ballroom with Esterbrook/Kenro against the left wall, more vendors, as well as the nib grinders.
Speaking of Kenro, here are some of their Sheaffer x Emily in Paris pens.
The nib grinders were the first folks you saw in the second ballroom. Damien Alomar of All in the Nib is standing in the background, followed by Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studio seated in the middle, and Josh Lax of JJ Lax Pen Company in the foreground.
I love seeing local vendors at pen shows, especially the ones that only go to their local show. I am also glad to see more pen-adjacent vendors that sell art, paper, accessories, and more. It really adds to a pen show’s personality.
Philadelphia’s own Ian Schon of Schon Dsgn along with his crew, Bea (left) and Scott (right). Shame on me for forgetting to take their pic until they were all packed up on Sunday afternoon!
Forgot the people (oops) but of course, I took a picture of the newly released pens on Friday morning!
Pennsylvania’s own Gene and Heatherjo Goroschko of Bucks Bespokery made their Philly Pen Show debut - I had to take this picture before the show started because their table was busy all weekend! They’re also the nicest people too!
Gina and Nicole of The Someday Society - another PA vendor - had a lovely assortment of ‘zines, kits, and things to help you get your thoughts on paper.
Is New Jersey considered local? Close enough! Always a pleasure to see Helen and son Dominic of Helen’s Creations NJ! I was so tempted to pick up another notebook cover but I behaved…this time. 🙂
*So wonderful to see Natasha of inkii again after meeting her at the Empire State Pen Show! I love her nib wipe and glasses wipe cannolis! *
Dawn from Mod Girl with Vintage Love had a variety of papers and accessories for you to level up your calligraphy. She also teaches calligraphy too!
Anderillium always had a lot of folks checking out their animal-themed series of inks.
I love that Claudia of The Cloudy Desk not only makes art but also sells their products to support causes they care about. I was so tempted to get another Sinclair (the Adventure one) - I still might!
The awesome volunteer crew behind the Philly Pen Show (Simar, Eleanor, Azizah, Mike, and Eric!!) Thanks for all you do for the show!
Outside the ballroom, there were tables set up for folks to hang out, wait for classes, take a break, or show off their purchases with other attendees.
Members of the Philadelphia Calligraphers’ Society were also set up out here to make free calligraphy bookmarks.
Not pictured, a Share the Wealth/Pay It Forward table inside the ballroom, where people could drop off stuff they didn’t love anymore, or pick up something to try. I always love seeing these tables at shows because it encourages folks to let things go if they aren’t using/loving it, and lets someone else give it a try.
There were classes and seminars on all the days, which is a great way for folks to learn how to use their pens and things, and take a break from shopping and the hubbub of a show. One of these days, I would like to take Sugar Turtle Studio’s, Michael Ward’s, and one of Azizah Asgarali’s classes (too many good ones to pick from). Josh Lax hosted a Vintage Pen Panel (which he does at many of the shows he attends) - it’s a great way to learn about vintage pens and hear from some of the well-respected folks in the vintage pen business.
The first of my two handwriting improvement classes! I thought it was hilarious that I got to teach in this massive ballroom. I dream of teaching my class someday in a packed ballroom this size!
Round tables for my second class, which felt much more intimate, despite the large space. Proof from both classes that they finished the class and no one demanded refunds, lol!
The show was great, but my favorite part of pen shows is hanging out with pen friends afterwards! I didn’t get any pictures because I always forget, plus I was too busy cheering on the Broncos and lamenting the 49ers on Saturday night. I always have a great time at this show, and I loved spending time with friends, even if I don’t have pictures to prove it. The Philly Pen Show is my favorite way to kick off pen show season and 2026 was no exception.
My Philly haul included a new Schon Dsgn full-size fountain pen, Franklin-Christoph Pocket 45 (Philly Pen Show edition), Model 31, both Ink ‘26, some ‘zines from The Someday Society, and two Hancoco slide stamps from Sugar Turtle Studio.
Stickers, inky cloth, postcards, custom foiled Liberty Bell notecards, and a notebook made from The Little Prince book, all from Bucks Bespokery.
Journaling box and blotter sheets from Esterbrook.
Nibbage, Philly Pen Show bag, Rickshaw show sleeve, Fountain Pen Day Philly Pen Show pin.
A huge Thank You to the Philly Pen Show crew for a wonderful show! Time to recover for a few weeks before my next shows, which will be the upcoming California Pen Show in a few weeks and the Baltimore Pen Show shortly after that. I hope to see you there! Until then, stay warm/dry, stay safe, and stay inky!
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